New Board Member Announcement

Welcome to Champions for Children

new board members

Champions for Children is pleased to announce the election of two new members to our Board of Directors. We are excited and grateful for the unique skills and expertise that these dedicated individuals will bring to our mission of building stronger families in Tampa Bay. Please join us in welcoming Sarah Lamy and Laura Ruden!

Sarah Lamy 

Sarah Lamy is a Certified Public Accountant with almost 15 years of accounting experience. Through her current senior manager role at RSM, she helps companies with challenging accounting issues and compliance requirements and works extensively with businesses that are going through mergers and acquisitions. Sarah also leads the women’s development program in RSM Tampa and is a zealous career coach to numerous colleagues. Sarah is passionate about the growth and development of individuals through education. She was raised in a household where the “why” or “why not” was explained when learning in order to help build the knowledge and understanding needed to make future decisions. She believes that education is a powerful tool and is passionate about everyone having access to it. She has volunteered around the world teaching various lifelong skills to aid with child development and is using those experiences to continue to create an impact in the community and with Champions for Children.

Laura Ruden

Laura Ruden is a Senior Director of Brand Strategy at ChappellRoberts, she helps clients achieve optimal business results through branding and advertising. Personally and professionally, Laura embraces every challenge as an opportunity for growth. Laura is a former two-time Connect Florida Statewide Leadership Institute board member and the recipient of the group’s top honor, the Connect Florida President’s Award. She also served on the Gasparilla International Film Festival board. As a marketing expert, Laura is looking forward to increasing awareness and engagement with the Champions for Children brand. As a mother of two, she’s hoping to bring a fresh perspective and help local families.

Champions for Children’s 2022 Board of Directors

  • Dianne Jacob, Chair
  • Dr. Bonnie R. Saks, Chair-Elect
  • Kay Annis Wilson, Immediate Past Chair
  • Willisha Williams, Treasurer
  • Dr. Anne V. Gormly, Secretary
  • Hon. Dorothy A. Brown Cook
  • Alexis Dion Deveaux, Esq.
  • Keith Fakhoury
  • Lara Roeske Fernandez, Esq.
  • Greg Hargrove
  • Malcolm Harris
  • Dr. Kathleen Heide
  • Hon. Richard A. Nielsen
  • Kristi Irwin-Newberry
  • Sarah Lamy
  • Selena Majeed
  • Parker Rabow
  • Kimberly E. Renfroe
  • Laura Ruden
  • Tamica Thomas Simpson
  • Mark Stoker
  • Marian Winters
  • Laura-Elizabeth Ware
  • Dr. Joan Wagner Zinober